Health Department Shutters Three Restaurants in Midtown, Gramercy

MIDTOWN — Health inspectors shut down three restaurants in Midtown and Gramercy this week, citing evidence of mice and possible food contamination.

Fava, a Mediterranean takeout restaurant at 203 E. 26th St., was shuttered Monday but had reopened as of Thursday afternoon. Workers there declined to comment, but a Health Department sign dated March 20 stated an inspection grade was pending.

China Sun at 108 W. 39th St. and Gramercy Park Pizza at 77 Lexington Ave. each remained shuttered after Monday's closure. Both restaurants posted signs facing the sidewalk, apologizing for the closures and promising to reopen soon.

China Sun's shutdown marks at least the third time the restaurant has been closed by the city's Health Department. With 45 violation points, including "critical violations" for mice and food contamination, it actually improved on its score of 46 from last month and 50 from January 2012.

Gramercy Park Pizza earned 53 points for evidence of mice, "food not protected from potential source of contamination," and other sanitary violations, the Health Department noted. The eatery had its gates pulled down on a visit Thursday.

Fava racked up 56 points, which included citations for cold-food items held above 41 degrees, mice, and "wiping cloths" that were "soiled" or "not stored in sanitizing solution."

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